You Are Surrounded By Coaches

I work for a major online retailer. I will not mention the name in this blog, because I don't want anyone to construe my opinions as being those of my employer. I shall simply refer to it as the Company. I was a big fan of this Company long before I began working there, and my affection has only increased during the time I have spent there. If all major corporations in America were run the way the Company is, we would likely not be in a global depression right now, and America would still be a shining example for the rest of the world.

One of the major operating philosophies used at the Company is the idea that "everyone is a coach." If you see someone doing something wrong, show them the right way to do it. I've been coached by a good number of people there, and have provided coaching to many more. The idea behind this philosophy is that wisdom is to be had from a variety of sources. You need only keep your eyes and ears and mind open, and wisdom will come to you.

Most of my life, I've been called wise beyond my years. The reason for that is that I observe everything and listen to all arguments. Of course, I've been and continue to be guilty of "selective hearing," as we all are at one time or another. We humans tend to view criticism as attacks on our person, which sometimes it is, but which is more often than not motivated by a genuine desired by the advice-giver to improve the lives of those around them. The Objectivist in me sees this as a desire to improve our own lives by reducing the number of community members about whom we need to be concerned.

And it certainly is in your own self-interest to listen anytime someone approaches you with unsolicited advice. You have no obligation to follow that advice, of course, but you should actively listen, discern the intent of the advice-giver, and judge what parts of the advice are in fact wise. We resist change, but we must not be afraid of it. Every moment of every day is an opportunity to change our lives and the world for the better. Pay attention to those around you, because they may just be able to help.